Hand embroidery is one of the oldest and most rewarding textile arts. This guide covers what you need to take your first steps, from materials to the five stitches every embroiderer starts with.
What You'll Need
- ●*Fabric**: Start with a medium-weight cotton or linen. Even-weave fabrics are ideal for beginners as the regular thread count makes it easier to place stitches evenly. A 28-count evenweave or quilting cotton both work well.
- ●*Needles**: Crewel needles (sizes 5–10) are the most versatile choice. They have a sharp point for piercing fabric and a long eye for threading. Size 7 or 8 is a good starting point.
- ●*Threads**: Stranded cotton (such as DMC or Anchor) is the standard choice. Each skein contains 6 strands that can be separated. Most beginners start with 2–3 strands for a balanced look.
- ●*Hoop**: A 6-inch or 8-inch wooden or plastic hoop keeps your fabric taut and your stitches even. This is non-negotiable for good results.
- ●*Scissors**: Small, sharp embroidery scissors for cutting thread cleanly.
Your First Stitches
We recommend learning these five foundational stitches in order:
- Running Stitch: The simplest stitch, perfect for outlines and borders. Pass the needle in and out of the fabric at regular intervals.
- Back Stitch: Creates a solid, continuous line. Essential for text, outlines, and any design that needs a clean edge.
- Chain Stitch: A looped stitch that creates a bold, textured line. Used extensively in crewelwork and surface embroidery.
- Satin Stitch: Smooth, parallel stitches that fill a shape with solid colour. Takes practice to keep edges neat.
- French Knot: A knotted stitch that creates a small raised dot. Fiddly at first, and then indispensable for texture and detail.
Tips for Success
- ●Tension: Keep your fabric taut in the hoop, but don't over-stretch it. The fabric should be drum-tight but not distorted.
- ●Thread length: Cut threads no longer than 18 inches (45 cm). Longer threads tangle and wear thin.
- ●Start and finish: Avoid knots. Instead, leave a tail on the back and catch it under your first few stitches.
- ●Practice: Stitch a small sampler using each new stitch before tackling a full project.
When you are ready to go further, the Hand & Lock School offers courses and live webinars that teach each of these techniques in depth, and the community feed is the place to share your first sampler and get encouragement from fellow stitchers.